How to remove the Pick Color browser hijacker?
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What is the Pick Color browser hijacker?
Pick Color is the name of a browser hijacker, endorsed as a pop-up tool allowing users to pick (i.e., get a sample of) the colors used in websites and other online content. Software within this category typically promotes fake search engines by making modifications to browser settings.
However, Pick Color does not consistently alter browsers when promoting the fxsmash.xyz fake web searcher. Additionally, Pick Color spies on users' browsing activity. Due to the questionable techniques used to distribute browser hijackers, they are also classified as PUAs (Potentially Unwanted Applications).
Browser hijackers primarily target popular browsers with large user bases (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc.). This software usually operates by reassigning browsers' homepage, new tab/window, and default search engine URLs - to illegitimate web searcher addresses.
Hence, with a browser hijacker installed: every single search query typed into the URL bar and new browser tab/window opened - redirect to the promoted address. In some cases, Pick Color modifies browsers in this manner, and in others - it does not.
Fake search engines rarely can provide search results. They tend to redirect to (or cause redirection chains ending with) Yahoo, Bing, Google, and other legitimate ones. This applies to fxsmash.xyz as well. It has been observed redirecting to the Yahoo (search.yahoo.com) search engine and to websearches.club.
While the latter can generate search results, it is deemed to be illegitimate. The search results provided by websearches.club are inaccurate and may contain untrustworthy or malicious content.
Furthermore, browser hijackers can reset any changes users try to make to their browsers. Alternatively, they can restrict or deny access to the browser settings. Therefore, recovering a hijacked browser is impossible without removing the software affecting it.
What is more, Pick Color has data tracking abilities. These functionalities are common for browser hijackers. Data of interest includes: visited URLs, viewed pages, searched queries, IP addresses/ geolocations, personally identifiable details, and so forth.
The gathered information is then monetized by being shared with and/or sold to third-parties. In summary, the presence of data-tracking software on devices can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, and even identity theft. To protect system integrity and user privacy, it is crucial to eliminate all suspicious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins immediately upon detection.
| Name | Pick Color |
| Threat Type | Browser Hijacker, Redirect, Search Hijacker, Toolbar, Unwanted New Tab |
| Browser Extension(s) | Pick Color |
| Supposed Functionality | Online color picker |
| Promoted URL | fxsmash.xyz |
| Detection Names (fxsmash.xyz) | Fortinet (Malware), alphaMountain.ai (Suspicious), Forcepoint ThreatSeeker (Suspicious), Full List Of Detections (VirusTotal) |
| Serving IP Address (fxsmash.xyz) | 104.21.80.122 |
| Affected Browser Settings | Homepage, new tab URL, default search engine |
| Symptoms | Manipulated Internet browser settings (homepage, default Internet search engine, new tab settings). Users are forced to visit the hijacker's website and search the Internet using their search engines. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake Flash Player installers. |
| Damage | Internet browser tracking (potential privacy issues), display of unwanted ads, redirects to dubious websites. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Simple Note, SearchConvertersWeb, Set Colors, and Img Preview are a few examples of browser hijackers. They appear ordinary and harmless.
Additionally, browser hijackers usually offer a wide variety of "handy" features. However, the advertised functions are seldom operational. In fact, this is true of nearly all PUAs. The only goal of unwanted apps is to generate profit at user expense.
Therefore, instead of delivering on any promises, PUAs can hijack browsers, force-open unreliable and malicious sites, run intrusive advertisement campaigns (adware), and gather private data.
How did Pick Color install on my computer?
Some PUAs (e.g., Pick Color) have "official" download webpages. However, these applications are most commonly downloaded/installed together with other software. "Bundling" is the term used to define this false marketing method - packing regular programs with unwanted or malicious additions.
These supplements are often hidden within the "Advanced/Custom" download/installation settings or left unmentioned entirely. Hence, rushed downloads/installations (e.g., ignored terms, used pre-set options, etc.) increase the risk of allowing bundled content into the system. Intrusive adverts are also used to spread PUAs. Once clicked on, the advertisements can execute scripts to download/install this software without user permission.
How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?
It is advised to research software prior to download/installation and/or purchase. Furthermore, all downloads must be performed from official and verified sources.
Untrustworthy download channels, e.g., unofficial and free file-hosting websites, P2P sharing networks (Torrent clients, eMule, Gnutella, etc.), and other third-party downloaders - offer bundled and/or harmful content.
When downloading/installing, it is recommended to read terms, study all possible options, use the "Advanced/Custom" settings, and opt-out from supplementary apps, tools, features, and other additions. Intrusive adverts appear legitimate; however, they redirect to various unreliable and questionable sites (e.g., gambling, pornography, adult-dating, and so on).
In case of encounters with ads and/or redirects of this kind, the system must be inspected and all dubious applications and browser extensions/plug-ins detected - removed from it without delay. If your computer is already infected with Pick Color, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.
Website promoting Pick Color browser hijacker:
Appearance of fxsmash.xyz redirecting to the Yahoo search engine (GIF):
Appearance of fxsmash.xyz redirecting to the websearches.club fake search engine (GIF):
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner
By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.
Quick menu:
- What is Pick Color?
- STEP 1. Uninstall Pick Color application using Control Panel.
- STEP 2. Remove Pick Color browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
- STEP 3. Remove fxsmash.xyz homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.
- STEP 4. Remove fxsmash.xyz redirect from Safari.
- STEP 5. Remove rogue plug-ins from Microsoft Edge.
- STEP 6. Remove fxsmash.xyz redirect from Internet Explorer.
Pick Color browser hijacker removal:
Windows 11 users:
Right-click on the Start icon, select Apps and Features. In the opened window search for the application you want to uninstall, after locating it, click on the three vertical dots and select Uninstall.
Windows 10 users:
Right-click in the lower left corner of the screen, in the Quick Access Menu select Control Panel. In the opened window choose Programs and Features.
Windows 7 users:
Click Start (Windows Logo at the bottom left corner of your desktop), choose Control Panel. Locate Programs and click Uninstall a program.
macOS (OSX) users:
Click Finder, in the opened screen select Applications. Drag the app from the Applications folder to the Trash (located in your Dock), then right click the Trash icon and select Empty Trash.
In the uninstall programs window: look for any recently installed suspicious applications (for example, "Pick Color"), select these entries and click "Uninstall" or "Remove".
After uninstalling the potentially unwanted applications (which cause browser redirects to the fxsmash.xyz website), scan your computer for any remaining unwanted components. To scan your computer, use recommended malware removal software.
Pick Color browser hijacker removal from Internet browsers:
Video showing how to remove browser redirects:
Remove malicious extensions from Google Chrome:
Click the Chrome menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More tools" and click "Extensions". Locate "Pick Color" and other recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage:
Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable "Pick Color", look for a browser hijacker URL (hxxp://www.fxsmash.xyz) below the “Open a specific or set of pages” option. If present click on the three vertical dots icon and select “Remove”.
Change your default search engine:
To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for "fxsmash.xyz", when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Remove from list".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pick color redirect, reset your Google Chrome browser settings. Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen. Click the Advanced… link.
After scrolling to the bottom of the screen, click the Reset (Restore settings to their original defaults) button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Google Chrome settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Remove malicious plugins from Mozilla Firefox:
Click the Firefox menu 
(at the top right corner of the main window), select "Add-ons". Click on "Extensions" and remove "Pick Color", as well as all other recently installed browser plug-ins.
Change your homepage:
To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Options", in the opened window disable "Pick Color", remove hxxp://fxsmash.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.
Change your default search engine:
In the URL address bar, type about:config and press Enter.
Click "I'll be careful, I promise!".
In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled"
Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the 
button.
Optional method:
Computer users who have problems with pick color redirect removal can reset their Mozilla Firefox settings.
Open Mozilla Firefox, at the top right corner of the main window, click the Firefox menu, in the opened menu, click Help.
Select Troubleshooting Information.
In the opened window, click the Refresh Firefox button.
In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Mozilla Firefox settings to default by clicking the Refresh Firefox button.
Remove malicious extensions from Safari:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click Safari menu, then select Preferences...
In the preferences window select the Extensions tab. Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions and uninstall them.
In the preferences window select General tab and make sure that your homepage is set to a preferred URL, if its altered by a browser hijacker - change it.
In the preferences window select Search tab and make sure that your preferred Internet search engine is selected.
Optional method:
Make sure your Safari browser is active and click on Safari menu. From the drop down menu select Clear History and Website Data...
In the opened window select all history and click the Clear History button.
Remove malicious extensions from Microsoft Edge:
Click the Edge menu icon 
(at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Extensions". Locate any recently-installed suspicious browser add-ons, and remove them.
Change your homepage and new tab settings:
Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Settings". In the "On startup" section look for the name of the browser hijacker and click "Disable".
Change your default Internet search engine:
To change your default search engine in Microsoft Edge: Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge), select "Privacy and services", scroll to bottom of the page and select "Address bar". In the "Search engines used in address bar" section look for the name of the unwanted Internet search engine, when located click the "Disable" button near it. Alternatively you can click on "Manage search engines", in the opened menu look for unwanted Internet search engine. Click on the puzzle icon 
near it and select "Disable".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pick color redirect, reset your Microsoft Edge browser settings. Click the Edge menu icon (at the top right corner of Microsoft Edge) and select Settings.
In the opened settings menu select Reset settings.
Select Restore settings to their default values. In the opened window, confirm that you wish to reset Microsoft Edge settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
- If this did not help, follow these alternative instructions explaining how to reset the Microsoft Edge browser.
Remove malicious add-ons from Internet Explorer:
Click the "gear" icon 
(at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". Look for any recently installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".
Change your homepage:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Internet Options", in the opened window remove hxxp://fxsmash.xyz and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you launch Internet Explorer. You can also enter about: blank to open a blank page when you start Internet Explorer.
Change your default search engine:
Click the "gear" icon (at the top right corner of Internet Explorer), select "Manage Add-ons". In the opened window, select "Search Providers", set "Google", "Bing", or any other preferred search engine as your default and then remove "Pick Color".
Optional method:
If you continue to have problems with removal of the pick color redirect, reset your Internet Explorer settings to default.
Windows XP users: Click Start, click Run, in the opened window type inetcpl.cpl In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows Vista and Windows 7 users: Click the Windows logo, in the start search box type inetcpl.cpl and click enter. In the opened window click the Advanced tab, then click Reset.
Windows 8 users: Open Internet Explorer and click the gear icon. Select Internet Options.
In the opened window, select the Advanced tab.
Click the Reset button.
Confirm that you wish to reset Internet Explorer settings to default by clicking the Reset button.
Summary:
A browser hijacker is a type of adware infection that modifies Internet browser settings by assigning the homepage and default Internet search engine settings to some other (unwanted) website URL. Commonly, this type of adware infiltrates operating systems through free software downloads. If your download is managed by a download client, ensure that you decline offers to install advertised toolbars or applications that seek to change your homepage and default Internet search engine settings.
Post a comment:
If you have additional information on pick color redirect or it's removal please share your knowledge in the comments section below.
Outstanding!
▼ Show Discussion